Sugar sweetened drinks linked to obesity, health problems

Caitlin Yoshiko Kandil

Earlier this week, Mayor Thomas M. Menino, the American Heart Association and 10 Boston-area hospitals announced a new effort to reduce the consumption of soda and sugar-sweetened beverages in the city.

Under the leadership of the Boston Public Health Commission, hospitals have pledged to remove high-sugar beverages from their premises and replace them with more nutritious options; install free water dispensers; display red, yellow and green stoplight symbols on beverages to indicate their nutrition value; and educate patients and staff about healthy beverage choices.

 “I have been concerned for years about the impact of obesity and especially about children and youth drinking sugary beverages like soda, sports drinks and energy drinks,” Menino said in a statement. “My vision is to make the city of Boston a model for making the healthy choice the easy choice. I commend these ten hospitals and the Public Health Commission for their leadership and for taking on the challenge of creating healthier environments for patients, staff and visitors.”.............. (for more story visit: http://www.baystatebanner.com/health16-2012-02-23)